ATSIC S05E17 - Continuity

I’ve started a mailing list. If you want to get an email each week when a new episode of #ATSIC goes onto Mixcloud so you don’t forget, sign up at the bottom of the page or hit me with your email on IG and I’ll make sure to keep you up to date.

We maintain continuity as much as possible here on After the Smoke is Clear, with a new mix worth listening to every week. I’d recommend that if people enjoy listening to this sort of upcoming indie rap, they engage with the show in a meaningful way by getting themselves a free account and the Mixcloud app, and hitting like, commenting, and sharing the mixes they like most. I’m busy keeping up with the unending supply of new drops every week and can only put so much effort into doing promo, so word of mouth goes a long ways to boost the numbers and help the show get new music into new ears.

This week there’s all sorts of new new as per usual. From K-Rec’s new one with 4ize out on the West coast, to Halifax heavy hitter Quake Matthews joining Dan-e-o, D-Sicive, and JShiltz, we cover the new releases from coast to coast and everything in between. There’s new stuff from Epic & Rob Crooks out on the prairies; a couple from Montreal based grime peddler Slik Jack with some Torontonian features from Asun Eastwood & New Villain; a new super group called Ghidora consisting of Lotus James, Pound Banga, and Ulysses that was sent over by the homie Eddy Jones; a rare replay of a track from Switch with Slaine and Stoupe; reality raps from Hamilton’s The Emsee; Toronto in full effect as usual with tracks from a full roster of emcees like Lord Juco, The 6th Letter, Mark Jordan, Ayoo Bigz, KNG Bondolero, G Fam Black, and Daniel Son; and Junk and Hungry checking in with another single to feed the people. As is tradition the mix kicks off with a Wu Tang feature, Meth Back! from Conway’s new drop, but after that it’s all canucks like the Oilers last series. I’m done typing about it for now, but suffice it to say this one has a lot of dope music for you to check out. Maybe I’ll be able to find time for more analysis track by track later. There’s a video below from Twitch that has a bit more, check that out, and come by to say hi when I’m online over there.

The music is followed by another episode of my podcast interview series Fly in Formation, this time featuring Shark the SOB (Son of Boombap), an emcee based out in London ON. We talked about the importance of networking with other artists, his recent string of monthly releases, working a job to afford making music, and a bunch more. Check the FiF playlist for an archive of all the past guests. Mixcloud is the only spot to listen to the audio only interviews each week, grab the app, it’s free and there’s all sorts of dope DJ mixes from curators who care about the music much more than an algorithm cares about your playlists on streaming platforms.

Every week, I buy every song I play, unless the artist sent it to me, saving me a buck. I believe in buying music to support independent artists. Making music is time-consuming and expensive. Streaming doesn’t pay much at all, and since streaming has become the way most people consume music, it’s even more important to make sure to buy tickets, buy music (physical or digital), and buy merch from artists you want to hear more from. Streaming pays next to nothing, so if you want artists working on more music instead of working more shifts at their day job, you need to show them love by opening your wallet and giving them financial support.

Season 3 of my interview series Fly in Formation is soaring along in style, and I’ve double booked June. The most up to date schedules are posted below, including the new one for June. I’m trying to accelerate into summer with twice weekly live streamed interviews next month, adding Saturdays to the regular Tuesday weekly rotation for a month straight to build up some momentum. Make sure to hit follow on Twitch or subscribe so you don’t have to watch the ad breaks during interviews too. I love seeing the community pop up in chat to say hi during interviews.

Independent shows like After the Smoke is Clear also need support. If you enjoy the music; if you enjoy learning more about artists; if you want to see the Canadian Hip Hop scene documented; if you enjoy discovering new artists without digging and navigating the algorithms yourself; please consider supporting the show.

If you don’t have the funds to support right now, that’s fine. You can listen for free because other people who do have the money have donated. You get a free weekly show, I get paid for the work I spend the hours of my week doing.

Telling a friend is another great way to support the show, I appreciate everyone who helps spread the word immensely.

To support financially, you can donate through PayPal. It’s safe, requires no recurring sign-up, and puts money directly in my pocket. I use these funds to purchase the music featured in the show. Supporting ATSIC is supporting indie artists, including me. Thanks to everyone who helps out.

Stay Up.